- Overview
- More Info
- Reviews
Sam Maloof, one of America’s most accomplished woodworkers, has used these same finishes on pieces placed in museums and the White House. Sold in pint and quart size cans.
 |
''One
of the most important aspects of finishes, I believe, is that they invite
me to touch, to caress, and to take pleasure in the wood surface.'' Sam
Maloof. |
 Maloof’s
Poly/Oil Finish A
custom blend of polyurethane varnish and natural oils developed by Sam Maloof
to beautifully finish his finest pieces. Ideal for use on furniture, cabinets
and millwork. Enlivens wood grain and adds warmth to it’s color. Gives your
project the look of hand rubbed satin finish in half the time it takes using
pumice and rottenstone. Consider using Sam Maloof's Oil/Wax for the final
coat to complete the look. |
 |
 Sam
Maloof Oil/Wax Finish A
blend of oils and waxes used as a final coat over the Sam Maloof's Poly/Oil
finish to create a soft hand rubbed appearance while enlivening the wood
character. Sam recommends using this topcoat on fine pieces that won't be
exposed to heat or moisture. Applied with a cloth. |
For more information on Sam Maloof, see Jeremy Adamson's
book, The Furniture of Sam Maloof, the first thorough documentary of Maloof's life and work. |
|
| |
 |
|
Customer Reviews and Photos for:
Sam Maloof's Finishes
|
Average Rating:
5.0
(23 customer reviews)
Add your review...
|
|
|
1) Submitted by
Michael Benson, from Walker, MN
on 4/24/2013
Customer Rating:
I recently finished my version of a Maloof style rocker and used this finish. This finish adds great depth, warmth, and character to walnut. As I began to apply the first coat, the walnut rocker was transformed from just a rocker to an invitation to touch. Easy to use and very reasonable odors. The finish provided an excellent reward for the hours of prep sanding.
|
|
2) Submitted by
Trevor Lindsey, from Camarillo, CA
on 9/10/2012
Customer Rating:
As a professional luthier of 32 years, I had sought an alternative to environmentally detrimental finishes that required spraying and/or laborious wet sanding and multiple coat build up. Nothing I had tried could be applied evenly or had acceptable wear resistance. Then I found the Maloof Poly/Oil, and it has not only made my work easier, but also provided a superior finish for my instruments. There is nothing else like it on the market, and it outperforms any other poly finish by miles.
|
|
3) Submitted by
James Adams, from Pawnee, OK
on 6/23/2011
Customer Rating:
A friend of mine gave me a sample of the Sam's oil in a small jar. I love the stuff. It's very easy to apply and I love the way it makes stuff shine. I use it only on very hard woods. I'm a wood turner and I buff my stuff after applying the oil.
My only problem is after a few openings the can no longer seals good. Then it starts to dry out. I hate to put it in Mason jars, but I think that is what I'm going to do with it.
|
|
4) Submitted by
Mel, from San Antonio, TX
on 2/19/2011
Customer Rating:
If you follow the directions that say to wipe off the finish at least twice after applying it, you cannot make a mistake with this productif you leave too much it can make sticky spot that never quite dries. I refinished all my kitchen cabinets with this stuff and the finish looks perfect. No streaks, no brush marks, no blotches. The result looks truly professional and has stood up to some rather harsh treatment. I'll never buy another brand, because there is no skill needed to apply it and the results are great every time.
|
|
5) Submitted by
Peter Hart, from Menlo Park, CA
on 11/22/2010
Customer Rating:
For decades I used the classic shop-made 3-part finish: Equal parts of alkyd resin varnish, boiled linseed oil and turpentine. I've tried other commercial preparations, but always went back to the 3-part finish. This time, having just visited the Maloof Foundation home in Southern California, I decided to try these two companion products.
I didn't quite follow the recommendation on the can for applying the oil finish. I applied four coats successively with 320, 400 and finally 600 grit wet/dry abrasive paper. Other than that, I followed the directions.
The results met my high expectations as far as appearance goes. I have not yet used it for high-wear applications like chairs or dining tables so can't comment on durability for those cases.
The product was easy to apply and more importantly easy to wipe off. It's easier to deal with than mixing up your own, but it is expensive stuff. On the other hand, a small amount goes quite a long way.
These two finishes are in my opinion superior to the older commercial preparations. I'm a convert, I'll be using this from now on.
|
|
6) Submitted by
John H. Mead, from Monroe, NH
on 5/17/2010
Customer Rating:
There is little I can add to the roster of favorable reviews. However, this is an expensive product, and I have learned how to gain full benefit while being stingy, that is - economical. My first two or three coats of finish will be Watco, which fills the pores at limited expense. It lacks sheen however, which two coats of Maloof poly/oil will provide. I repeat the counsel of others who advocate careful wiping.
|
|
7) Submitted by
Michael, from San Francisco, CA
on 5/13/2010
Customer Rating:
Followed the directions in their entirety (both poly/oil and oil/wax), and I couldn't be happier with the results. For very little effort, this is an amazingly beautiful finish. Used on natural walnut.
|
|
8) Submitted by
Brad Conklin, from Maybrook, NY
on 11/15/2009
Customer Rating:
Once I tried Sam's poly/oil and oil/wax I never went back to anything else. The look and the finish they give to the wood invites you to run your hand over it and experience the finish. I have yet to see someone who has seen one of my finished peices not run their hand over it. It is a great product and great experience.
|
|
9) Submitted by
Don Mapstone, from Lakeland, FL
on 5/6/2009
Customer Rating:
Cabinet was not finished yet - two more coats to be applied - texture and color of wood is excellent to date. I will send photo as soon as completed. I really like the ease of application. I will be switching from polyurethane to poly/oil on all projects after seeing the excellent finish on this cabinet so far.
|
|
10) Submitted by
Fred Conforti, MD, from Great Barrington, MA
on 3/14/2009
Customer Rating:
Sam's poly/oil and oil/wax finishes are without a doubt the best general market proprietary finishes that I have used to date. I do not have a "clean" room. I applied the poly/oil to a large media center that I designed with an application ball of cheesecloth wrapped in a double layer of shop towels. The result was magnificent and clean-up was a breeze. I finished a small shelf with mineral oil/pumice/rottenstone and, side-by-side with Sam's product, was hard pressed to notice a difference; I'm certain that a nonprofessional would not be able to make the distinction. And since I suffer with quite severe arthritis in my hands anything that makes the finishing process easier is much appreciated.
This is a product I can recommend without reservation. In fact, I'm tempted to hand my work over to a professional photographer so that I can send a worthy photo for display.
|
|
11) Submitted by
Greg Duczynski, from Ledyard, CT
on 1/5/2009
Customer Rating:
This was the first time I've used this finish. I've always been a fan of Sam Maloof so I was eager to try to use his finish. It works incredibly well and is easy to apply. As others have commented, I must stress the importance of fully wiping down the piece after each coat. The extra effort and rags are definitely worth it.
Recently I was working on two pieces for family members for the holidays. An Oak Sideboard (picture included) and a volleyball trophy for my son's girlfriend. Both pieces came out beautifully and the natural highlights of the red oak shown through nicely without the look of a heavy finish.
This is clearly the best product I've ever used and I will only be using this approach on all my future pieces. Sanding the pieces down to 400 grit sandpaper followed by a thorough burnishing with 0000 steel wool produced a glasslike smoothness for the finish which went on easily.
I highly recommend Sam's poly/oil and oil/wax finishes.
|
|
12) Submitted by
G.W. Marton, from Erie, PA
on 12/28/2008
Customer Rating:
I have finished a couple of projects where the wood is first dyed with an aniline dye, then four couts of poly/oil. two coats of oil/wax then two coats of paste wax. I'm very happy with this system. Very easy to use, but you do have to follow the instructions. Make sure you wipe off excess oil, then let the coat dry before you move on.
|
|
13) Submitted by
Jeff Boggs, from Nashville, TN
on 9/28/2008
Customer Rating:
I wet sand this oil into projects starting with 220 grit and working my way up to 1200 grit. The finish is unbelievable! It's so easy to use.
|
|
14) Submitted by
Bruce Bradford, from Winston Salem, NC
on 9/4/2008
Customer Rating:
Strongly recommend this product. I've used it for over 8 years and have never had a problem.
|
|
15) Submitted by
Bryan Appel, from Plano, IL
on 6/4/2008
Customer Rating:
This finish is extremely easy to apply. As the directions say, you must sand the project well. One coat looks almost as good as four, but I would use at least two with light sanding between coats. If you are looking for a shiny, “built up” finish, this is not it. But, if you are trying to showcase the natural beauty of the wood and your workmanship, this product works great. There is a distinct, slightly unpleasant, odor to this finish that takes well over a week to dissipate. I would strongly recommend this product.
|
|
16) Submitted by
Jeff Williams
on 2/4/2008
Customer Rating:
Easy to apply and gives a great finish.
|
|
17) Submitted by
Larry Rose, from Vacaville, CA
on 1/22/2008
After many months of working on two baby rocking cradles for my daughter in laws new twins, I was not to happy with my work. But after using Sam Maloof's finish my projects look like I am a professional wood worker and not just a hobbyist. Thank you for such a great product. After just one coat I was very impressed, and with four coats, what can I say but my future projects will be coated with Sam's product.
|
|
18) Submitted by
Van Tilley, from Gordonville, TX
on 12/21/2007
Customer Rating:
When I got ready to finish my black walnut grandfather clock I looked far and wide for a finish that I thought would be best. I was skeptical about Sam Maloof's Poly/Oil & Oil/Wax finish but when I tried it on a scrap piece I was pleasantly surprised. It went on very easy and looks great. I'll use it again.
|
|
19) Submitted by
Steve, from Salisbury, MD
on 8/25/2009
Customer Rating: 
Used Sam Maloof Oil/Varnish before. The product was better in quality and easier to use and kept better than the homemade brew I was trying to use. It is a little pricey though, but very good stuff.
|
|
20) Submitted by
Roger Moore, from Aiken, SC
on 11/16/2007
Customer Rating:
Used this product for the first time on a hurried red oak knife block project. Was able to put on just one coat but it looked fabulous. Looking forward to putting it on some cherry and maple projects. Of particular note, it appears that this finish works very well on highly sanded wood. I finished the red oak to 1000 grit with a random orbit sander which worked particularly well.
|
|
21) Submitted by
Jac Schmitter, from Chittenango, NY
on 9/25/2007
Customer Rating:
This the second time that I have used this product and I love it. I needed it in a hurry in order to meet a self imposed deadline. Rockler got it to me very quickly.
|
|
22) Submitted by
J Hayman, from St. Paul, MN
on 1/28/2010
Customer Rating:
These are my favorite finishes - easy to apply and results are stunning when done. Note: make sure you wipe the piece off thoroughly after several minutes of application and working the finish to get an even-looking coat . Also, the oil/wax finish may take a long time to dry especially in warm/humid weather. Some of my work took a couple of months to lose the stickiness of the oil/wax finish. I sometimes just use 5-6 coats of the poly/oil (which dries thoroughly overnight), followed by carnuba wax or other paste wax to avoid stickiness in a high-use wood item.
|
|
23) Submitted by
Don Eby, from Marblehead, OH
on 3/31/2006
I love these finishes. Both very easy to apply and wipe off. Both types really bring out the depth of the grain. The poly/oil builds much faster than most of the common tung oil varnishes like [...]. The oil/wax makes a new piece look like an antique.
|
Home  Finishing, Sanding, and Glues Clear Finishes Sam Maloof's Finishes 
|
(0 Items)
